Christmas Project Fail -or Surprising Success?

I got into a panicked funk right before Christmas about pajamas for the kids that I was trying to sew. I even wrote about it, considering it a Christmas project fail.

I started knitting a scarf this week and am definitely feeling more enthusiastic for crafting at a slower pace again. Sometimes the Christmas deadline is too overwhelming when trying to get everything else done.

Now, because the big day is over, I'm going to finish those pjs with enthusiasm! The kids aren't going to care if it's a few days after Christmas that they receive them. They might not even realise it is "late" and will appreciate them just because I made them with love and for them. Perhaps the pjs will be even more meaningful because the will not get lost in the gift shuffle of Christmas morning.

New Year Resolutions

It's that time of year to think about what we want to accomplish in the new year. How can it be 2011 already? The last few years I have gone from using categories with a few things under each (health goals, financial goals, house decorating or renovating goals, etc.) to making affirmations (which I think is more positive and motivating).

My 2010 affirmations (which I also posted on my blog front page to remind me constantly of what I need to focus on) included:
*I am a healthy, trim size 6
*I am a money magnet. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
*I am an educated and successful money manager and investor
*I appreciate what I have
*I love my family and the precious time we spend together
*I am a creative individual who completes beautiful projects

If I say the affirmations daily (which I did in January and part of February) then I felt powerful. When the initial enthusiasm and focus waned it was still helpful and faster to review the six points, as listed above.

For 2011 I would like to continue with the health improvement and loss of a few more pounds but I don't know that I want to place it as a specific goal (such as last year's size 6 statement).

My new friend, A Bowl Full of Lemons, has both an organization challenge and a 21-day cleanse challenge. She is using Crazy Sexy Diet  by Kris Carr for the 21-day adventure cleanse. Adventure? Not so certain it will be an adventure but it should be interesting. Amazon.ca describes the book as "a must for anyone who seeks to be a confident and sexy wellness warrior." Am I a sexy wellness warrior? We'll see in 21 days!

Menu Plan Monday ~ December 27-31

We are visiting a lot this Christmas so I don't officially have a menu plan. There will be lots of turkey leftovers that I will try to help put into soups and casseroles and different forms to keep it from getting tired. Being a sugar and chocolate lover it has been hard to turn away the cookies and pies and squares. I have probably gained weight but I'm doing my best to guzzle water to chase away the carb deposits.

Monday ~ Turkey Leftover Buffet
Tuesday ~ Roast Beef
Wednesday ~ Surprise (dinner out)
Thursday ~ Surprise (dinner out)
Friday ~ Minnestroni and Homemade Pizza
Saturday ~ Crown Pork Roast

Check out more Menu Plans at Org Junkie's Menu Plan Monday.

Toboganning

Yesterday the husband and children went tobogganing and had a blast. There was a big jump and Ava kept going over it. She loved it. She is also the perfect weight to go really far down the hill. Which is great - except for when you have to walk down after her to help her back up the hill.

Today I went with the kids and the one run I took with Travis, we hit the jump (even though i put the brakes on and tried to steer away from it!). Trying to protect him I hurt my back and knocked my head. I took some Tylenol and am resting but I believe I am too old for this "fun" business. It was my first and last run. He didn't get hurt but I think when we stopped the sudden stop motion pushed him into the snow face-first and he looked like a snowman. He didn't say if it was fun or not but when I wiped the snow away from his face he wanted to go home too. I'm sitting here and wonder if i gave myself a concussion since I'm dizzy with a headache and achy. Ah well, we got good air and the boy better have good memories of when his mother took him toboganning!

How are you spending time after Christmas?

Christmas Project Fail

It's Christmas eve eve and I started to sew pants for Travis's pajamas. I can't find the elastic for the waist. I don't understand the instructions very well since it takes a bit to change from sewing quilts to clothes. While trying to read the instructions the children and husband keep coming down or calling me away and it's just too difficult to get my head around. Never mind the mountain of carpet piled in my sewing room that I need to climb over just to access the sewing machine or leave the room. The elastic is likely in my sewing room somewhere but due to the renovations of the remainder of our basement the room is stuffed with things that do not normally belong there, thus making it difficult for me to get into the sewing mood. I think I stitch-ripped more than I actually sewed. This year, no homemade pajamas, kids. At least for Christmas eve. Sad thing is that I was really looking forward to making and delivering these to my guys. Right now I'd say this one is a big ole FAIL and I'm not feeling very merry right now.

Menu Plan ~ December 20-24

LUNCH
Monday ~ Chicken Noodle Soup, Crackers, Toast with butter          
Tuesday ~ Ham, Cheese, Veggies
Wednesday ~ Macaroni & Cheese, Apple Slices
Thursday ~ Lasagna, Clementine Oranges
Friday ~ Peanut Butter and Jam Sandwiches, Yogurt, Bananas

DINNER
Monday ~ Ham, Roast Potatoes & Carrots, Broccoli
Tuesday ~ Chicken Cordon Bleu, Asparagus
Wednesday ~ Crockpot Lasagna, Garden Salad
Thursday ~ Leftover Buffet
Friday ~ Christmas Eve Dinner out

For more menu ideas, check out Org Junkie.

The Santa Train

This year I could not find a reasonably priced or conveniently dated breakfast with Santa. Then the Santa Claus Express was discovered. 

We traveled in a restored 1920s coach over the rails of a century-old branchline while enjoying the sights and sounds of the vintage locomotive. The return trip was just under an hour and Santa made his way through the train with his elves to sit and visit with the travelers. It was the only time this season that we had Travis get near him. Santa was wonderful - he engaged him by asking him to show his teeth and then asked for a hug before he had to leave (even Travis couldn't resist those requests!).

 

Family Photos

We visited Sears Portrait Studio a few weeks ago to get a family photo taken for our holiday cards (I can't believe I almost forgot to book our family photos!).

I am thrilled with the results and am pleased to send these out with our 2010 Christmas cards.

25 Christmas Stories

Thank you so much to Crystal's Craft Spot for introducing me to Tip Junkie's binder of 25 Christmas stories to read with your family!

I am going to print mine off tonight and set up the binder tomorrow.

Oh, and there are instructions on how to make this beautiful book cover!

Menu Plan ~ December 6-12

This week's menu is based on a 1300 daily caloric in take. The list is organized by breakfast, snack, lunch, dinner & dessert.

Monday
1 Waffle
1 Tbsp Light Syrup
½ cup Orange Juice
1 cup Skim Milk
Tea/Water

1 Apple (2½”)

Frozen Personal Pizza
2 cups Green Salad
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Dressing
Water/Diet Pop

3oz Steak (lean)
1 medium Baked Potato
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Sour Cream
8 spears Asparagus
1 cup Skim Milk and Water

2 Arrowroot Biscuits

Tuesday
1 Egg Scrambled
½ English Muffin
1 Tbsp Strawberry Jam
1 cup Skim Milk
Tea/Coffee/Water

½ cup Fruit Salad (in juice)

Frozen Lasagna
2 cups Green Salad
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Dressing
Water/Diet Pop 3oz

Grilled Salmon
2 cups Tossed Salad
2 Tbsp Low-Fat Dressing
½ cup Wild Rice
1 cup Grilled Vegetables
1 cup Skim Milk and Water
½ Cup Fresh Strawberries

Wednesday
1 Pouch Oatmeal
1 Low-Fat Bran Muffin
½ cup Skim Milk
Tea/Water 1

Apple (2½”)

Frozen Chicken a l’orange
2 cups Green Salad
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Dressing
Water/Diet Pop

3oz Broiled Lean Pork Chop Loin
½ cup Pasta Shell
1/3 cup Tomato Pasta Sauce
Citrus Spinach Salad: 2 cups Chopped Spinach, ¼ cup Orange Sections, ¼ cup Red Onion Slices, 2 Tbsp Low-Fat Poppy Seed Dressing
1 cup Skim Milk and Water

Thursday
1 Waffle
1 Tbsp Light Syrup
½ cup Orange Juice
1 cup Milk Skim

1 Apple (2½”)

Frozen Chicken Carbonara
2 cups Green Salad
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Dressing
Water/Diet Pop

Leftovers (use portions from day served)

Friday
1 Egg Scrambled

½ English Muffin
1 Tbsp Strawberry Jam
1 cup Skim Milk
Tea/Coffee/Water

1 Apple (2½”)

Frozen Chicken Fettuccini
2 cups Green Salad
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Dressing
Water/Diet Pop

1/8 medium Homemade Veggie Pizza (whole wheat dough, part skim mozzarella cheese, veggies)
2 cups Tossed Mixed Green Salad
2 Tbsp Low-Fat French Dressing
1 cup Skim Milk and Water

Saturday
1 Pouch Oatmeal
1 Low-Fat Bran Muffin
½ cup Skim Milk
Tea/Coffee/Water

1 Apple (2½”)

Frozen Lasagna
2 cups Green Salad
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Dressing
Water/Diet Pop

300g Low-Fat Lasagna
2 cups Tossed Salad
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Italian Dressing
1 cup Skim Milk and Water
1 cup Jell-O
1 Tbsp Light Whip Cream

Sunday
Toasted Western: 1 Egg Scrambled, 1 oz Lean Ham, 2 Tbsp Onion, 2 Tbsp Green Pepper
2 Slices Whole Wheat Toast
1 cup Skim Milk
Water/Tea

1 Apple (2½”)

Frozen Chicken Carbonara
2 cups Green Salad
1 Tbsp Low-Fat Dressing
Water/Diet Pop

3oz Lean Baked Ham
3 slices Pineapple (in juice)
1 cup chopped Broccoli
¾ cup mashed Potatoes
1 slice Whole Wheat Bread
1 tsp Margarine
1 cup Skim Milk and Water

For more menu plan ideas, check out Org Junkie!

Christmas Movies

I don't know how single parents do it. I applaud you if you are one. Lately I have had a full group of daycare kids as contracts end and overlap with other contracts beginning. It's good timing with Christmas expenses so I'm not complaining. It is make me one tired person though. And all these fun holiday movies that are on starting at 8PM make it hard to adhere to my early bedtime. Who can resist such heart warming stories. And they are on "W" (the "women's" channel) so they are geared as chick flicks, cute leading men and stories that tug at the heart. Perfect way to end the day.

Last night there was a double feature and the second movie that started at 10PM caught my interest. It is called "Christmas in Boston" or also known as "Instant Message". Not sure why there are two titles for the same movie? Anyway, I got to the first commercial and it looked so promising. I was too tired to continue. Now I am on a search to find this movie since I don't see it on the upcoming list of titles scheduled for December.

What movie do you enjoy watching every year? Do you own it or wait for it to come to television?